Mountains to Molehills: Just vote

Published: Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:28 p.m.

People wring their hands, wondering what should be done to bring about more prosperous times, but the answer is obvious to Arch Wood of Hendersonville. "We have to get Washington squared away," he says. "We must reduce the size of government and get control locally. In this downturn, the only thing that has grown is Washington. There's too much bureaucracy. And no president should be able to appoint czars to get his agenda around Congress. Everyone needs to vote and quit complaining. We have to vote."

u

‘TO NAME A FEW': Part-time Hendersonville residents Joe and Judy Handley of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., agree with Ben Nowak that an attack on faith has this country headed down the tubes. "They've taken God out of our country," he fusses. "We've got to fix this, starting with putting God back in our schools. But I'm afraid our politicians are in a glass dome. They're not hearing the people." "They ask for our opinion," says Mrs. Handley, "and then do whatever they want, and it's not necessarily for the betterment of the people." So, who does she most distrust? "The politicians in Washington — President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, to name a few." What about the mister? "President Obama is a good politician, but he's not doing anything. He has too many czars telling him what to do. And I'm a registered Democrat." "Not me!" says a wide-eyed Mrs. Handley.

u

‘TWO GOOD THINGS': Gene Derouen of Laurel Park is impressed by congressional candidate Jeff Miller. "He is a very fine person, and he has treated veterans like the heroes they are," he says. "I don't think he will get to Washington and become a career politician. And he's not an attorney." "That's two good things going for him," adds Mr. Derouen's wife, Joan.

u

‘WHERE ELSE?': Flat Rock newcomers Molly and Norman Higgins are still in love with the community since moving from Massachusetts. "It's gorgeous here," says Mrs. Higgins, perched on a bench on Hendersonville's Main Street. "It's a lovely place, and I love Sinbad. The food and service are excellent. It's a nice place altogether." Never Blue tops Mr. Higgins' list of favorite restaurants in Hendersonville. "It has a lot of life going for it," he says. But closer to their neighborhood, just the mention of the Village Bakery on Little Rainbow Row puts a smile on both faces. "Where else," says Mrs. Higgins, "would you find a place like Village Bakery?"

u

OOPS!: A woman with endless hiccuping went to the doctor's office, where she was seen by one of the younger doctors. Following a few minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The older doctor marched down the hallway back to where the young doctor was scribbling notes. "What's the matter with you?" the older doctor asked. "Your patient is 61 years old, has seven grown children and 18 grandchildren, and you told her she is pregnant?" The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up asked, "Does she still have the hiccups?"

u

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Henderson County people down on their luck need our help. Let's show them we care by donating to Interfaith Assistance Ministry, which will use our gifts to help pay utility bills for people in need. The ministry's address is P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, 28793. Write "heating assistance" on the memo line of checks. Another way to help is to donate to the Share the Warmth program sponsored by Duke Energy Foundation. Instructions on how to contribute will be included with Duke Energy bills received in October.

<p>People wring their hands, wondering what should be done to bring about more prosperous times, but the answer is obvious to Arch Wood of Hendersonville. "We have to get Washington squared away," he says. "We must reduce the size of government and get control locally. In this downturn, the only thing that has grown is Washington. There's too much bureaucracy. And no president should be able to appoint czars to get his agenda around Congress. Everyone needs to vote and quit complaining. We have to vote."</p><p>u</p><p>'TO NAME A FEW': Part-time Hendersonville residents Joe and Judy Handley of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., agree with Ben Nowak that an attack on faith has this country headed down the tubes. "They've taken God out of our country," he fusses. "We've got to fix this, starting with putting God back in our schools. But I'm afraid our politicians are in a glass dome. They're not hearing the people." "They ask for our opinion," says Mrs. Handley, "and then do whatever they want, and it's not necessarily for the betterment of the people." So, who does she most distrust? "The politicians in Washington — President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, to name a few." What about the mister? "President Obama is a good politician, but he's not doing anything. He has too many czars telling him what to do. And I'm a registered Democrat." "Not me!" says a wide-eyed Mrs. Handley.</p><p>u</p><p>'TWO GOOD THINGS': Gene Derouen of Laurel Park is impressed by congressional candidate Jeff Miller. "He is a very fine person, and he has treated veterans like the heroes they are," he says. "I don't think he will get to Washington and become a career politician. And he's not an attorney." "That's two good things going for him," adds Mr. Derouen's wife, Joan.</p><p>u</p><p>'WHERE ELSE?': Flat Rock newcomers Molly and Norman Higgins are still in love with the community since moving from Massachusetts. "It's gorgeous here," says Mrs. Higgins, perched on a bench on Hendersonville's Main Street. "It's a lovely place, and I love Sinbad. The food and service are excellent. It's a nice place altogether." Never Blue tops Mr. Higgins' list of favorite restaurants in Hendersonville. "It has a lot of life going for it," he says. But closer to their neighborhood, just the mention of the Village Bakery on Little Rainbow Row puts a smile on both faces. "Where else," says Mrs. Higgins, "would you find a place like Village Bakery?"</p><p>u</p><p>OOPS!: A woman with endless hiccuping went to the doctor's office, where she was seen by one of the younger doctors. Following a few minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The older doctor marched down the hallway back to where the young doctor was scribbling notes. "What's the matter with you?" the older doctor asked. "Your patient is 61 years old, has seven grown children and 18 grandchildren, and you told her she is pregnant?" The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up asked, "Does she still have the hiccups?"</p><p>u</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Henderson County people down on their luck need our help. Let's show them we care by donating to Interfaith Assistance Ministry, which will use our gifts to help pay utility bills for people in need. The ministry's address is P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, 28793. Write "heating assistance" on the memo line of checks. Another way to help is to donate to the Share the Warmth program sponsored by Duke Energy Foundation. Instructions on how to contribute will be included with Duke Energy bills received in October.</p>